Bears are successful hunters using different fishing techniques. Sometimes they wait and watch the water before pinning down a fast swimming fish. Or they may simply dive and chase their prey. When bears carry fish away from the banks and into the woods, the carcasses decompose providing excellent nutrients to the soil which helps plants grow healthy and strong. The fortified plants are then eaten by other animals in a harmonious symbiotic arrangement. Chris Gchachu's adorable fishing bear with happy eyes from turquoise inlays has been carved from found stone and holds a handmade sterling silver and wire detachable pole. A large fish catch is from iridescent abalone. Dimensions in their entirety are approximately 2 5/8" tall, 3 1/4" wide with fishing pole and 1" deep.

Melvin Sandoval's Bear is smoothly sculpted from a verdant serpentine. The carving has soft curves and feels as comforting in hand as the hunter green hues are pleasing to the eyes. Look closely to see layers of slightly darker and lighter green shades in the delightful stone. About 2 3/4" long, 1 1/4" wide and 1 3/4" tall.

Bear exudes a kindhearted disposition by Sherdine Tsatte. Friendly turquoise eyes are set to a wonderful face. A special companion to strengthen your day smoothly sculpted from soapstone to a size of roughly 1 3/4" long, 3/4" wide and 1" tall. An expression of gratitude from the carver to the spirit of the animal comes in the form of an offering bundle, laced with verdant peridot and bright red coral beads.

Intriguing sandstone is an ancient sedimentary rock made up of sand particles created by either wind or water. It is sometimes referred to as the stone of creativity. Darrell Westika's mighty Bear is sculpted from sandstone and has a friendly fixed expression from sky blue turquoise eyes. A really cool point from carved from marble is layered with a happy turquoise cabochon in the offering bundle that compliments the natural features of the stone. About 5 1/2" long, 1 1/4" wide and 2 1/2" tall.

The Zuni People (A:shiwi) say human ancestors emerged onto Earth after passing through Levels of Emergence, a series of four wet and chaotic underworlds. When they surfaced on dry earth there were already powerful animals existing. These animals preyed upon the People since they were naked and defenseless. They cried out to the Creator or Great Spirit for help. Hearing these cries, Creator dispatched the heroic War Twins armed with lighting bolts. The War Twins struck the animals with lighting bolts and turned them to stone. Their hearts were left beating in ossified bodies. These creatures were entrusted with the mission of assisting humans on their journey in life. The spirit of these animals can be represented by the heartline or breath path feature starting at the mouth region leading to the heart. Kenric Laiwakete's resplendent turquoise-eyed Medicine-Bear features a stunning triple inlaid heartline from turquoise. Sculpted from labradorite, dimensions are approximately 3" long, 1" wide and 2 1/2" tall.

A cute chubby-limbed Bear has a friendly temperament. Creatively carved from serpentine with augite by Brian Yatsattie, it sees the best in you through jet inlaid eyes. Noticing the best in others allows you to see the better parts of you. Upright with strength and potential at approximately 3" tall, 2" wide and 1" deep.

Bears have powers that we do not. They can walk short distances on their hind legs so an upright bear is considered healing and showing strength by Indigenous cultures. Bears will defend themselves even if wounded teaching us to stand up and fight for what is right. They are the most prevalent subject of Zuni animal carvings. Brion Hattie's standing Bear is masterfully carved from marble. Stunning etching results in a furry coat. The sweetest eyes are from turquoise inlaid to an endearing face. About 2 1/4" tall, 1 3/8" wide and 2" deep.

Fred Bowannie, Jr.'s Bear is masterfully carved from Zuni septarian nodule scouted while rock hounding with his best friend and fellow carver Felino Eriacho. Fred's bears overflow with charm. Heartfelt eyes are from pen shell inlays. The sweet bear is upright in posture suggesting strength and wellness in Pueblo worldview. This treasure foraged from Zuni country is approximately 2 1/4 tall, 1 5/8" wide and 2" deep.

A united Bear pair by Salvador Romero reminds us that we are truly one family intricately connected and we can't progress without one another. If we embrace our differences to bridge divisions, there isn't anything we cannot accomplish. Together these companions measure approximately 4 1/2" long, 3" wide and 2 1/2" tall. They're carved from unique and gorgeous found stones.

Hayes Leekya continues in his late grandfather Leekya Deyuse's iconic carving legacy. Hayes' journeying Bear sculpted from Picasso marble has an offering bundle which includes a carved leaf element from spiny oyster shell. The leaf addition is a nod to his grandpa who was renowned for unusual carvings of Zuni villagers, hands, feet and plant forms especially leaves. Adventurous eyes are from pen shell inlays, while a lovely alternating heartline or breath path is inlaid from turquoise, red coral and iridescent Pacific green snail shell. About 4 1/2" long, 3 1/4" wide and 3" tall.

A bear's animal medicine or its natural traits encompass qualities like strength, healing, journeying and family. Carved from a handsome piece of onyx whose two sides are equally beautiful, Bernard Laiwakete's strong Bear measures about 4 5/8" long, 1 3/4" wide and 2 1/2 tall. An exquisitely inlaid alternating turquoise heartline and eyes light up the golden and milky hues of the mineral. The heartline represents the breath or essence of an animal. The offering bundle from a Zuni Sunface element along with heishe beads is a gift from the carver honoring the bear's spirit. The neat Sunface button is created from turquoise, coral, jet and mother-of-pearl.

Maxx Laate comes from the greater Laate family of Zuni artists. Together with his late brother Pernell Laate, they began carving in the mid-1980s. At that time they made their own tools but later used electric equipment, as many carvers do today. They would often visit wildlife magazines to refine the details in their artwork. Maxx's happy Bear cubs climb a tree in this approximately 1 3/4" tall, 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/4" deep intricately detailed work from precious pink coral. Eyes are from turquoise inlays. One of the cubs looks like it's playing with a tail fin from a fish catch.

An arched back Medicine-bear reminds us of quiet moments when unexpected insights come into our awareness. Paulette and Farlan Quam's rounded back Bear is carved to resemble the cave or den opening where it heals in a torpor state. Smooth and elegant, this onyx fetish is approximately 3" long, 7/8" wide and 2 3/4" tall. Sky-blue eyes are from turquoise, while an offering bundle contains perhaps a strawberry quartz and magical tiger's eye beads.

Exuding cerulean goodness, Maxx Laate's wee Bear with turquoise eyes and little drilled ears has been smoothly sculpted from vibrant lapis lazuli. Said to be a stone of enlightenment, lapis contains three other minerals in varying amounts, which are calcite, lazurite and sparkling pyrite. This particular specimen is dotted with glorious calcite inclusions. About 1" long, 3/8" tall and 3/8" wide.

Paulette and Farlan Quam's gorgeous green marble Medicine-bear is on a mission to find foraging grounds with bountiful chokecherry shrubs or trees. As chokecherries are digested by a bear they change in texture improving germination. Pollinators love chokecherries too. Eyes from turquoise stay focused on the goal. The marble's deep hunter green hue along with white crystalline variations are quite alluring. About 3 3/8" long, 3/4" wide and 3" tall.

The Zuni People (A:shiwi) believe human ancestors emerged onto Earth after passing through the Levels of Emergence, a series of four wet and chaotic underworlds. When they finally surfaced on dry earth there were already powerful animals living here. These animals preyed upon the People, since they were naked and defenseless. They cried out to the Creator for help. Hearing these cries, Creator dispatched the heroic War Twins armed with lighting bolts. The War Twins struck the animals with these lighting bolts and turned the creatures to stone. Their hearts however were left beating in ossified bodies. These creatures were then entrusted with assisting humans on their journey. The essence of these animals can be represented by the heartline feature or breath path extending down from the mouth and into the chest. Heartlines are not always inlaid stone or shell either. They can simply be the natural striations in the rock as seen in Benina Kallestewa's gorgeous onyx Bear. Eyes are from cultured opal inlays. About 1 3/4" long, 1 1/8" wide and 1 1/4" tall.

Vaughn Kaskalla's endearing mother Bear and sleeping cub have been engagingly carved from one gorgeous dolomite specimen. Flowing ribbons with pink and rosy red hues exist in this stone. With an adorable turquoise-eyed expression on her face, mother patiently lets her cub snooze, shown by its sweetly incised eyes. This would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift. About 5 3/8" long, 1 3/4" wide and 3" tall.

Carved from intriguing Australian print stone, Brian Yatsattie's Medicine-Bear is a visual stunner. Print stone is a siltstone found in the Mount McRae shale formation, a revered stone by Aboriginal cultures as containing energizing properties. The natural patterning within this mineral is hypnotic and quite engaging. Focused eyes are from jet inlays. Brian creates his animals from some of the choicest materials available. About 3 1/8" long, 1" wide and 3" tall.

Herbert Halate's carved New Mexico cedarwood offering hosts the protecting or healing animals of the Six-Directions, along with their assigned color according to Zuni Pueblo tradition. The solid block of lightly fragrant cedarwood is decorated with amazing cross-hatching and petroglyph inspired designs like flute players. It is also beautifully adorned with turquoise pieces. The Six Directional animals are permanently attached. They include a jet (black) Mole, a calcite (yellow) Mountain-lion, a turquoise (blue) Bear, a Picasso marble (many colored) Eagle, a pipestone (red) Badger and a marble (white) Wolf. Endearing eyes are from turquoise inlays. Measurements in their entirety are approximately 4 3/8" tall, 6" wide and 4 1/2" deep. The animal's average in size from approximately 1 3/4" to 2 1/8" long, 5/8" to 3/4" tall and 3/8" to 1" wide. Signed by the artist.

A happy balancing Bear with sweet eyes from tiny turquoise inlays has been masterfully carved from a rich fluorite by Loren Tsalabutie. We love the mysterious dimensionality, plus the purple and green natural colorations of the mineral. His father was the late beloved carver Jeffery Tsalabutie who taught him the art saying “always remember to give them life movement always flowing”. A delightful bear that resembles Jeffery's work is beautiful to behold because of the similarities in their artistry. Measurements on one foot are about 4" tall, 2 1/4" wide and 2" deep. The collectible bear can be positioned only on one foot. Not suitable for an unstable shelf or surface.

Todd Westika learned the art of fetish carving from his late aunt Rhoda Quam. His parents are noted jewelers and carvers Nancy and Sheldon Westika, from the greater Quandelacy family of artists. Todd graduated from New Mexico Tech with a background in geo-engineering. His love for rocks and minerals draws him to work with unusual stones as seen in a gorgeous calcite nodule specimen fashioned into a focused Bear. Eyes are from sterling silver inlays. A lovely turquoise point with branch red coral and sterling silver beads compose the offering bundle secured to this approximately 3 3/4" long, 3/4" wide and 1 5/8" tall work of art.

A Medicine-bear by Benina Kallestewa is like a kiss of sunshine carved from cheery calcite said to bring harmony and balance to those who possess it. The sun is our most important source of energy. The color yellow has an uplifting effect on the mind. Eyes are from cultured opal inlays. Dimensions of this vibrant yellow Bear are about 3" long, 1" wide and 1 3/4" tall.

Intriguing and irreplaceable, fossils give us great insight into the history of life on Earth. They reveal how the environment has changed through geological time periods. Fossils also show us what ancient living things looked like but they keep us wondering about details such as their colors, sounds and behaviors. Daphne and Leland Boone's turquoise-eyed Bear has been sculpted from a fossiliferous marble or perhaps Purisima stone, to a size of roughly 2 5/8" long, 5/8" wide and 2 1/4" tall. A refreshing orange spiny oyster shell point with turquoise beads constitute the offering bundle.

Just as no two snowflakes are the same, no two spherulite spots in snowflake obsidian are the same either. These gorgeous natural inclusions are cristobalites which are a type of quartz and they are plentiful in Burt Awelagte's charming Bear sculpted from snowflake obsidian. A smiling face has turquoise eyes. An offering bundle that shows gratitude for a bear's powerful example in nature is laced with turquoise, seashell and fresh water pearl beads. About 2 1/8" long, 1" wide and 1 3/4" tall.

Clive Hustito's magnificent upright Bear is carved from a weighty marble with swirling maroon, pink and cream-hued inclusions giving the impression of a shaggy coat. Standing bears are like brothers who teach us to stay strong. Expressive eyes are from turquoise inlays while clawed paws are incised. He honored the bear with a necklace from lovely turquoise and coral beads. A powerful bear stands about 8" tall, 3 1/2" wide by 2 1/4" deep.

We can respect Bears by giving them space and not interfering with their important doings. Bears are extraordinarily intelligent, dominant predators with sharp memories and superior navigation skills. Travis Nieto's gorgeous Picasso marble bear has turquoise eyes and measures in the neighborhood of approximately 2 1/4" long, 1" wide and 1 1/4" tall. We admire his attention to facial details and etched furry coat.

Brian Yatsattie thinks outside the box by stepping out of it. He rethinks traditional approaches to carving by utilizing unusual materials, even creating some of his very own. Experimenting and exploring the world of mosaic art birthed a glorious Medicine-Bear assembled with an array of luscious turquoise pieces. A custom recipe, Brian's labeled his unique composite "Brianite". Gentle eyes are from jet inlays. Bears know when to rest in torpor teaching us to adopt the same emotional intelligence. About 3" long, 3/4" wide and 2 3/8" tall.

Minerals are the building blocks of rock. Some rocks consist of just one type of mineral while most rocks contain a combination of minerals. Each mineral has a unique chemical composition which determines what color it will be. Also, interaction with other minerals and environmental factors contribute to its uniqueness. We're enjoying the serpentine specimen Delvin Leekya chose to carve a sky-watching Bear from. Swirling grey and subtle yellow-green colors exist in the serpentine. Eyes are from turquoise inlays and a double point offering bundle is from iridescent pink mussel shell and turquoise. About 2 1/2" long, 1" wide and 2" tall.

Kyle Awelagte was instructed in the art of carving by his father Burt Awelagte who was taught by Joseph Quam. Burt says he listens to the stone as it tells him what it wants to be. He's imparted these important skills to Kyle whose recent offering is a Picasso marble Bear with tiny eyes from turquoise inlays. We love this bear's powerful presence including a great facial expression and elongated snout. An offering bundle gives thanks in the form of turquoise, warm amber and a fresh water pearl gift. About 3 3/4" long, 1 1/4" wide and 2 1/2" tall.